Supported by Class Networks for the tenth consecutive year, the
Third Sector Awards Cymru were presented at a ceremony hosted by
BBC news presenter Siân Lloyd at the St David's Hotel in Cardiff on
Thursday 8 February.

Third Sector Awards Cymru
winners and runners-up

The Award for best communications, Supported by Creative Loop -
for organisations with an effective or different way of
communicating their message.

WINNER - Gŵyl Nôl a Mlan

Gŵyl Nôl a Mlan, a festival in Llangrannog, Ceredigion was
established by volunteers in 2009. The increase in its
popularity has been 'endless' and in 2017, it broke all records
with more than 8,000 visitors during the two-day event.

'This was mainly down to the dynamic communications plan and
innovative and clever use of social media,' said festival producer
Carys Ifan.

'The small team was forward-thinking in setting up Facebook and
Twitter accounts nearly 10 years ago. In 2016, a Snapchat
profile was set up, and an Instagram profile last year, to ensure a
tailored communications approach with various audiences.'

The festival has three main aims - to promote the Welsh
language, contribute to the economic and cultural economy of the
village and surrounding area, and offer an experience for the whole
family.

'The organisation communicates in Welsh at all times using
everyday language, local dialect, colloquialisms, relevant
vocabulary and humour,' Carys Ifan added. 'There are
translation tools on social media so this is an option for
individuals who can't - yet - speak Welsh.

'There's no doubt that the local community has benefitted
greatly from the festival's confident and fun-filled communications
plan, reinforcing the confidence of locals that they do live in a
strong and vibrant community and avoiding a sense of rural
deprivation.

'And with so many visitors coming to the festival, and returning
at other times of the year, the festival has made a substantial
contribution to the local economy.'

RUNNER-UP - Chwarae Teg

The women featuring in Chwarae Teg's Wonderful Welsh Women
initiative are from both history and the present day and include
scientists, athletes, actors, business people and
humanitarians.

'The only criteria are that they must have an inspiring story or
have achieved something remarkable,' said the equalities charity's
Strategic Communications Lead Helen Bradley.

'The initiative is helping Chwarae Teg to achieve its objectives
of inspiring, leading and delivering gender equality by generating
debate about the current lack of profile afforded to female role
models and by showcasing inspiring women.'

The campaign was launched on11 October, 2017- International Day
of the Girl - and utilises digital media platforms. The
launch tweet has been seen over 89,000 times, earning 3,400
engagements and 250 new followers for Chwarae Teg. Similar
levels of enthusiasm and success have been achieved on Facebook,
with the launch graphic getting 71 shares and being viewed by
14,200 people.

'Each week, we are showcasing a wonderful Welsh woman to raise
the profile of female role models in Wales and to inspire the next
generation of Welsh women, to empower them, and enable them to
achieve and prosper,' Helen Bradley added.

The campaign will culminate with a public, digital media based
vote to choose the most inspiring role model who will then receive
an award at the Womenspire 2018 awards.

RUNNER-UP - Valleys Gymnastics Academy

Valleys Gymnastics Academy (VGA), which is based in Crumlin,
Caerphilly, has a communications strategy that focuses on providing
quality experiences for its members, while also attracting new
members and participants.

The organisation uses three social media platforms. Its
Facebook pages are mainly used for advertisement and recruitment,
with the target audience being generally parents.

The Twitter page is primarily used to communicate with current
and future partners of the club, promoting good news stories and
activities, as well sharing collaborative work examples.
Currently, VGA's twitter page has 3,330 followers.

The club's Instagram page is primarily used to engage with youth
members through promoting achievements, competition results and
class snippets using videos and pictures. Currently, the page
has 3,930 followers.

'Valleys Gymnastics Academy is an award winning social
enterprise, and recently won the Wales Social Enterprise of the
Year 2017 (Customer Experience category) on the basis of its growth
and sustainability,' said Director Aled Jones.

'Feedback from parents has revealed that continuous
communication through the club's social media platforms has
enhanced their experiences. Volunteers and coaches are also
able to interact and communicate with each other through the social
media platforms.

'Due its prominent social media presence, VGA is regularly
referred to as a vibrant, visible, hub of the community.'

The environmental award - for organisations that have
helped deliver environmental benefits for their communities.

WINNER - REFURBS Flintshire

REFURBS Flintshire, a recycled
furniture charity, was founded in 2002 with one of its four
charitable aims being 'conserving and protecting the physical and
natural environment by the promotion of sustainable waste
management practices'.

The charity deconstructs items
down to component parts to ensure they are all recyclable, and
those identified for reuse are cleaned, repaired and recycled back
into the community from its showrooms in Flint.

In November 2016, REFURBS began a
three-month pilot project for Flintshire County Council to ensure
that no item of soft furnishings - sofas, armchairs and beds, etc -
ended up as landfill.

It has since deconstructed more
than 6,300 items, diverted almost 270 tonnes from landfill and
recycled over 6,800 items (205 tonnes) - as well as delivering a
recycling awareness campaign at all of the Household Recycling
Centres (HRCs) in Flintshire.

'Since its inception, REFURBS has
seen the reuse rates at some of the HRCs rise significantly, from
as low as five per cent in November 2016 to 50% in October 2017,'
said REFURBS General Manager Kevin Barry.

'Following a recent extension,
the pilot continues, generating significant results whilst offering
employability, training, volunteering and work placement
opportunities to those in the community who are furthest away from
the job market.'

RUNNER-UP - Wild Ground - Tir Gwyllt

Wrexham-based Wild Ground - Tir Gwyllt was set up more than 30
years ago by a group of Connah's Quay residents concerned about the
impact that large-scale development was having on the area's
environment and wildlife.

The group looks after rare habitats and species, particularly
pondscapes and wetland areas for the benefit of the protected great
crested newt. Many of its reserves are Sites of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Special Areas of Conservation (SAC),
and it protects them in ways including controlling invasive and
non-native species, planting trees and hedgerows, enhancing
meadows, and reinstating ponds.

It promotes environmentally friendly living and respect for the
natural world by running wildlife-themed events ranging from public
open days, to pond dipping sessions, bird surveys, bat walks, fungi
forays, creating breeding and hibernation sites for amphibians and
reptiles, and putting up nest boxes.

'Wild Ground - Tir Gwyllt works with an amazing group of
volunteers, numbering more than 100, who help with all sorts of
activities,' said Conservation Director Leah Williams. 'It is
fortunate to work with a wide variety of people from all sorts of
backgrounds, many of whom have physical difficulties and/or mental
health issues

'These people are able to experience their local natural
environments and learn about the wildlife that can be found there
and how they can help protect it. As well as that, they gain
confidence, learn new skills, make a difference to their local
environment, make new friends, and have fun!'

RUNNER-UP - Cardiff Rivers Group

Since 2009, Cardiff Rivers Group has been active in Cardiff's
rivers, waterways and ponds, removing 4,225 bags of rubbish, 184
shopping trolleys, 237 tyres, 174 traffic cones, 89 bicycles, 16
motorbikes and 27 tons of waste. A further 7.5 tons of scrap
metal has been recycled and is the group's principle source of
income.

'This is waste and rubbish that the local authority cannot
remove themselves, and so the volunteers have made a dramatic
improvement to the natural environment,' said the group's
Entertainment Secretary, Chris Hackett.

'This has benefitted directly the residents of and visitors to
Cardiff, who undoubtedly have had greater enjoyment of our rivers
as they are now clear of obvious eyesore rubbish.'

The group also carries out important habitat conservation and
management. 'Given cuts to Cardiff Council's environmental
budget, our assistance has been increasingly requested and
appreciated by the Cardiff Park Rangers in clearing invasive reeds
from ponds in Forest Farm, Whitchurch and Grangemoor Park in
Grangetown,' Chris Hackett added.

'Being a volunteer with Cardiff Rivers Group gives one a sense
of purpose, and improves mental wellbeing, as volunteers feel
happier and more satisfied discharging their civic contribution by
being a member of the group.'

The health, social care and wellbeing award - for
organisations that put people at the centre and co-design and
co-deliver services with them to make a real difference to their
lives.

WINNERS - ABMyouth
and Carmarthenshire People First

ABMyouth

Established in 2016, ABMyouth is a group of 20 young people from
across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend dedicated to
improving health services for children and young people and the
first youth action panel working within the Welsh NHS.

The volunteers represent the voice of children and young people
within the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board
area. They meet each month in hospitals across South Wales to
design their own projects, meet healthcare professionals and map
out future goals.

'Our team is made up of young people between the ages of 13 and
23 who all bring unique skills and qualities,' said Chair of
ABMyouth Sophie Millar. 'We have members who have experience
of being a patient, others volunteer with St John's Ambulance and
many plan to go on to become nurses, pharmacists and doctors.

'We project children and young people's thoughts on the health
issues that matter most to them and make sure that adults listen by
reporting directly to ABMU's executive board.

'This ensures young people are involved at a decision making
level. Working directly with NHS staff enables us to create
positive change and have a real impact on the health services that
young people use.'

ABMyouth members have formed part of the interview panels for
ABMU staff. They also work with young patients to record their
stories, thoughts and feelings about their journey through hospital
services.

Projects include '15 Steps Challenge' - which allows NHS staff
to understand what walking onto a ward for the first time is like
through the eyes of a child or young person - and a patient
questionnaire, currently being worked on with the aim of gathering
the opinions of as many children and young people as possible.

'In 2018, we'll be working with Child and Adult Mental Health
Services and creating a survey for children and young people across
the health board,' Sophie added.

Carmarthenshire People First

Carmarthenshire People First is an advocacy and training
organisation, run by and for members, who organise men's and
women's and skills swap groups and offer formal and informal peer
support on a range of issues.

This has led to the group developing training programmes
including cancer screening, keeping safe online and learning
disability awareness - all co-produced and delivered by people with
a learning disability.

'Members have also developed and run their own healthy eating
and exercise classes, building on their own life experience to help
other members grow and develop,' said Mal Cansdale of training and
information company Barod CIC.

'The group is a safe space for people with a learning disability
in Carmarthenshire to talk to other members and paid staff.
The paid advocates provide vital support to members around a wide
variety of complex issues including health, housing and benefits
from day to day issues to times of crisis.

'The group offers regular placements for trainee social workers
giving people a real insight into person centred approaches and
listening to what people really want. It is an important part
of people's social lives, helping them forge friendships and peer
support.'

RUNNERS-UP - Recovery Cymru, Footsteps to Recovery and
The National Waterfront Museum

Recovery Cymru, Footsteps to Recovery

Footsteps to Recovery is an innovative programme providing
'throughcare', aftercare and ongoing recovery support for people
who have had substance misuse problems in Cardiff and the Vale of
Glamorgan.

A 'unique partnership' of three very different organisations -
Solas and Recovery Cymru, Newlink Wales and Recovery Cymru
Community - it delivers community-based rehabilitation, volunteer
training and placements and ongoing recovery support.

Solas and Recovery Cymru's rehabilitation provides psycho-social
therapies while remaining at home and develops participants'
strategies for dealing with issues like low mood, anxiety and loss,
improving their ability to create a healthy lifestyle balance.

Specialist substance misuse training agency Newlink Wales
provides voluntary opportunities. For many of the
participants, volunteering is an essential recovery tool which can
provide a way into employment and economic activity.

'Recovery Cymru's ad infinitum support means that community
members can access peer support for as long and as often as they
need to,' said Gareth Joseph of Recovery Cymru Community.

'The programme's philosophy is that without improving and
maintaining their health and wellbeing, people are unable to make
the changes necessary to overcome substance misuse
problems.'

The National Waterfront Museum

Having always tried to ensure its visitor services cater for
those with extra needs, The National Waterfront Museum decided to
look at how to create a safe space for those with autism after
being joined by teenage volunteer Rhys, who is himself
autistic.

'When Rhys first started work, he was unable to make eye contact
and uncomfortable with strangers,' said the museum's Marketing and
Communications Officer Jenny Walford.

'Now he happily helps out with object handling sessions both in
the museum and in its outreach work, and is able to engage with and
hold a conversation with strangers.'

Last year, the museum appointed an autism champion, Suzanne, who
has an autistic son. Suzanne now promotes changes which will
benefit those with autism, across all seven Amgueddfa Cymru
museums.

She was the force behind creating a new chill-out room for the
Waterfront Museum, believed to be the first of its kind in a Welsh
museum, which features soft flooring, beanbags to relax on, a
colour-changing effect on the ceiling, natural sounds like birdsong
and lapping waves, and a selection of different-textured toys to
handle.

'The room gives visitors with autism, dementia and other
conditions - who can be overwhelmed with the crowds, lights and
sounds of the museum - a calming place to relax before returning to
the museum itself,' said Jenny.

The award for good governance - to recognise those
groups whose trustees ensure their organisation is well run and
exemplar.

WINNER - Hope Rescue

Hope Rescue in Llanharan, Rhondda
Cynon Taf, has grown from a small charity with just one paid member
of operational staff to having 13 people working at the £650,000
centre.

The Trustee Board appointed four
new members - a management accountant, procurement manager, HR
manager and marketing manager - to draw up the business plan it
needed to be able to buy the building.

'They developed a robust business
model including the establishment of a trading company and social
enterprise model,' said Transformation Manager Vanessa Waddon.

New sustainable income streams
were identified, including commercial boarding, a local authority
stray dog contract, welfare boarding contracts with other animal
charities, and the grant-funded redevelopment of the charity shop
to provide a dog-friendly coffee shop and craft workshop.

The Trustees were successful in
putting together a £650,000 funding package through a mortgage from
Charity Bank, loan funding from the Communities Investment Fund and
grant/loan funding from the Social Business Growth Fund. A
fundraising campaign raised a further £225,000.

'The purchase of the rescue centre has transformed the way the
charity operates,' Vanessa added. 'The Trustees have provided
incredible support, ensuring we meet our statutory obligations and
comply with good practice and using their professional skills to
provide hands on as well as strategic support.'

RUNNER-UP - The Welsh Centre for International Affairs
(WCIA)

The Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA) was
established in 1973, and its trustees were historically people with
a prior connection with its work, said Chief Executive Martin
Pollard.

'In recent years, we have been through a major transformation,
with a step change in standards of governance and professionalism,'
he added.

A transparent and open process of recruitment was introduced,
increasing diversity on the board by moving away from a 'white,
elderly male' profile and allowing for fresh ideas reflecting
contemporary best practice to be shared. It also became a
Charitable Incorporated Organisation and adopted a constitution for
the first time.

In 2015, the WCIA was awarded Wales for Peace (over £900,000)
and Wales for Africa (£1.8 million) project funds by the Heritage
Lottery Fund and Welsh Government. The WCIA staff team
increased from five to 20, with one Board strategy leading to an
improved revenue stream being generated via property assets.

'Today, the trustees have limited terms - maximum three terms of
three years - and there are regular rounds of open recruitment to
the Board,' said Martin Pollard. 'Trustees are surveyed to
establish skills, experience and knowledge, and recruit actively to
fill gaps and increase diversity. The Governance Committee, chaired
by the Vice-Chair, runs an annual trustee survey to look for ways
of strengthening governance.'

RUNNER-UP - Headway Cardiff & South East
Wales

The 10-strong Rookwood
Hospital-based Board has been continually improving and growing the
organisation to ensure service users, volunteers, supporters and
staff received the best possible experience, said Headway
Fundraising and Communications Officer Lucy Lawler.

It met Headway UK's Good
Governance standards, which meant it had to prove excellence in
strategic decision-making, compliance, safeguarding, managing
finance, quality assurance, engagement with service users and
volunteers, and communication and management of 120 members.

One of the newest trustees was a
service user - a 'fantastic' asset to the board, as it provided
valuable insight into life with an acquired brain injury, as well
as first-hand experience of the charity's services.

Outside scheduled meetings, the
Board was involved in other activities such as risk assessments,
interviews and conferences.

'Overall, our Trustees are extremely valued and respected by our
staff,' Lucy Lawler added. 'Their commitment to our charity is
overwhelming, and the growth of the organisation over the past few
years is the result of their dedication and hard work.'

The Award for digital inclusion, supported by Digital
Communities Wales - for organisations promoting basic digital
skills and helping members or service users to get
online.

WINNER - Innovate Trust

Cardiff-based Innovate Trust is running an 'intelligent personal
assistant project' to promote digital inclusion for 'some of the
most vulnerable people' in Rhonda Cynon Taff, the Vale of Glamorgan
and Cardiff itself.

The charity is setting up voice activated Intelligent Personal
Assistant Devices (IPA) - such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home -
in the homes of people with learning disabilities to help them live
more independently.

'Disabled individuals are often excluded from the digital world
or are forced to use technology that is built especially for
disabled people,' said Innovate Trust Research Officer Kieran
Vass.

'This technology is often not fit for purpose, is expensive and
creates a stigma. With the use of mainstream IPA technology, our
beneficiaries are able to proactively engage with the digital world
to improve their lives. For example, beneficiaries can now
set a reminder to take their medication without staff support -
giving them more freedom and control over their lives.'

The project is being run in partnership with Cardiff University,
research consortium Nesta, YLab the Public Innovation Labs for
Wales, Welsh Government, local authorities, housing associations,
cooperative parents' groups and Amazon.

RUNNER-UP - Derwen and Solas

Older people's housing association Derwen
Cymru's 'Learning Together' project has involved working jointly
with fellow local housing providers Gwalia and Solas in promoting
the project and recruiting and supporting young volunteers with
backgrounds of homelessness, living in care and substance
misuse.

'We are now exploring new partnerships, ideas
and various technologies to include those residents who require a
bit more encouragement,' said Active Ageing Officer Harriet
Bleach. 'One example is to develop the Learning Together
project with Cardiff Metropolitan University to include creating
digital stories and reminiscing about their education and school
days'.

Positive outcomes so far include both residents
and volunteers enjoying the social aspect, as well as learning new
skills, saving money, building confidence and increasing
independence.

Derwen Cymru has also developed a range of ways
to help staff and volunteers develop their digital skills,
including training courses delivered by Digital Communities Wales
and TPAS, building confidence to create content for Derwen's
website and social media.

Derwen staff signpost residents to Digital
Fridays held at Newport libraries, while residents who need home
visits are put in touch with the RNIB Online Today project and Age
Cymru Gwent.

'Derwen's aim is to equip staff with the
knowledge and enthusiasm to develop Derwen's overall digital
approach,' Harriet Bleach added. 'We aim to provide residents
with the choice to explore getting online and discover the benefits
it brings in a way that suits them.'

The team then supports residents to use key online applications
- such as for Universal Credit - and arranged for Digital
Communities Wales to deliver Digital Champion training, boosting
staff and residents' confidence and techniques in encouraging
others to get online.

The action plan has also seen CAHA deliver 'job ready' sessions
for unemployed residents - including assistance with searching and
applying for jobs online - and raise awareness of online support
tools such as benefit checkers and money comparison sites.

The housing association has liaised with Communities First in
organising computer courses for people needing them and promoted
Vision Support's RNIB Online Today project for people with visual
impairments, arranging for them to deliver sessions for example to
residents of Llys Eleanor Extra Care Home.

The plan has also involved the hosting of 'silent cinema'
events, where elderly residents reminisced while watching black and
white movies accompanied by live music.

'CAHA firmly contributes towards delivering a Digital Wales,'
said Community Development Officer Louise Blackwell. 'Working
in partnership with many agencies, we use diverse engagement
methods tailored to residents' unique wants and needs to help them
access the internet and develop digital skills.'

RUNNER-UP - Gwynedd Ddigidol/ Digital
Gwynedd

The Gwynedd Ddigidol/ Digital Gwynedd project, which was set up
by national charity Citizens Online, is a partnership focused on
helping local people improve their internet skills and enjoy the
social and economic benefits of being online.

In the past two years, it has recruited 140 digital champions
through delivering training events in the workplace, forming a
sub-group focused on online accessibility for disabled people,
creating peer-to-peer community support and raising its profile
through social media (1,000-plus twitter followers), quarterly
newsletters (400-plus subscribers) and regular network
meetings.

Its campaigns have been designed to appeal to people in greatest
need, such as housing benefit claimants, and sessions and pop-up
events have been run in the heart of communities, including
supermarkets, livestock markets and doctors' surgeries.

'Our key successes include having 35 organisations as partners
in Digital Gwynedd working together to increase capacity to promote
initiatives by running joint marketing campaigns,' said Digital
Gwynedd Co-ordinator Daniel Richards.

'We're always looking for better ways to upskill and empower
staff and volunteers to become Digital Champions, who are crucial
to motivate and support others in the community with
technology.'

Award for innovative fundraising, for fundraising teams
that were able to create a successful and innovative campaign to
raise money in difficult times.

WINNER - Mudiad Meithrin

National Welsh-medium early years care and education
organisation Mudiad Meithrin collected almost £15,000 in one day
through 'The Biggest Pyjamas Party in the World' last May.

The organisation's aim was to hold a series of local and
national events to raise awareness of the importance of fundraising
to the Cylchoedd Meithrin (Welsh-medium playgroups) as local
charities managed by voluntary management committees.

Those attending a pyjama party would donate £1 per head, with
proceeds given to the Cylch Meithrin as part of the continuous
fundraising effort. There was also sponsorship and support
from Bala pyjama manufacturer Aykroyds & Sons.

'After months of planning, collaboration with partners and
promotional work, over 400 events were held on one day with 90% of
Cylchoedd Meithrin - of which there are around 350 - taking part,'
said Mudiad Meithrin Chief Executive Dr Gwenllian Lansdown
Davies.

'Our aim was to break the world record for the number of people
in one pyjama party, which was 2,004, and therefore to raise the
equivalent amount of money,' Dr Lansdown Davies added. 'In
the end, £14,693 was raised - over seven times the target) with
8,750 people attending over 300 pyjama parties!

'The day was such a success that we're under pressure to hold an
annual event and partners such as S4C are seeking our advice on
holding such a one-day celebration.'

RUNNER-UP - The Wallich

Sharing The Wallich's increasing concerns about and keenness to
support the number of rough sleepers in Cardiff city centre, John
Lewis agreed to help raise awareness of the issue while encouraging
customers to also lend their support.

'We worked closely with the haberdashery department to come up
with a practical and creative idea to raise money for The Wallich
and show that John Lewis cares about homelessness,' said the
charity's Corporate Fundraising Manager Mike Walmsley.

One Knit Wonder™ was designed as
a stocking filler gift to encourage people to knit. Each pack
included a ball of wool, knitting needles and a simple downloadable
knitting pattern. The pack encouraged people to wear the hat,
gift it to a loved one or give it to someone sleeping
rough.

'The product was aimed at John Lewis customers to give the gift of
knitting for Christmas and support rough sleepers at the same
time,' Mike Walmsley added.

'Harlequin Printing and Packaging
sponsored the pack production and John Lewis Cardiff sourced the
materials required for the packs at a very significant
discount. This allowed us to price the product at £12, much
lower than other knit packs, and still make more than £10 profit
per pack to The Wallich.

'They sold out three days before
Christmas and we made £15,120 gross on the whole campaign - 1,260
units - which equates to £12,600 profit.

'The impact for The Wallich has
been considerable. We have a partnership with a high-end retailer
which is developing into future opportunities and income, in
addition to reaching out to a new audience to promote our
work. Most importantly, the money raised will be used to
support vulnerable people off the streets and into safety
throughout 2018.'

RUNNER-UP - Music in Hospitals & Care
Cymru

Music in Hospitals & Care Cymru is based at the Royal Welsh
College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, which has a plentiful supply
of talented student volunteers, who not only want to help the
charity but are also looking for performance opportunities.

'We use professional musicians to cheer up people who are
confined in healthcare venues,' said Robert Aitken, the charity's
Director in Wales. 'But we also hit on a scheme to make use
of volunteer musicians by asking them to perform in public spaces
around Cardiff.'

The project has since expanded to include regular performances
in St David's Shopping Centre and outside supermarkets throughout
South Wales.

'Demand for the charity's concerts is growing each
year,' said Robert Aitken. 'Last year, we needed to
raise around £110,000 to meet that demand. For a small
charity like Music in Hospitals & Care Cymru, that's a tall
order. But the more money we can raise, the more concerts we
can deliver.

'Using students to perform fundraising concerts for us has made
a small but significant dent in that total. So far this
financial year, this activity has generated more than £3,500 -
that's over 3% of what we need to raise each year, and a
significant chunk of our annual target - and the work was all done
for us by volunteers.

'Although our charitable objectives are very clearly focused on
people in healthcare, using music to raise money also allows us to
spread the joy of live music far more widely - and that's got to be
a good thing!'

The Class Networks award for the most admired
organisation - for organisations most respected for their
inspirational work and the causes they represent.

WINNER - Hope Rescue

As well as rehoming hundreds of dogs in need, Hope Rescue
runs a 'Hope in the Community"' scheme, providing pet food
and other pet sundries to food banks and support organisations
helping owners on low incomes and those living on the streets,
offering volunteering and work experience opportunities,
campaigning for legislative change and promoting responsible
ownership through education and community projects.

The canine respite scheme supports owners in crisis - for
example, those suffering domestic abuse, homelessness or
hospitalisation - to keep their dogs.

Jennifer Coleman-Humphreys of Penarth has championed the charity
since adopting her dog Lacey from them. 'I've become a huge
supporter of Hope's work and it's fair to say that they are so much
more than "just" an animal rescue organisation,' she said.

'They moved in to their new rescue centre in April 2017, having
previously operated through a network of foster homes and private
boarding.

'Since then, they have a made a huge impact on the local
community through their outreach programme, whilst having had to
massively increase their fundraising activities in order to cover
the costs of running premises. All of this is achieved
through a very small team of paid staff, supplemented by some very
dedicated volunteers.'

RUNNER-UP - Prince's Trust Cymru

The aim of the Prince's Trust Cymru is to give 11 to
30-year-olds who are unemployed or struggling at school a chance to
transform their lives through free programmes giving them the
practical and financial support they need while helping them
develop key skills.

'Feedback from employers is that they are extremely happy with
the calibre of young people interested in taking part, which proves
how popular the programme has become due to the high quality
training content and excellent outcomes the programmes have
achieved,' said Yvonne Hughes of DWP - Jobcentreplus.

'Each young person benefits from one to one support and is
offered further support/mentoring for up to six months - the
figures show that last year they empowered 58,000 young people to
turn their lives around.

'I believe that the Prince's Trust is the best thing since
sliced bread!' Yvonne added. 'They boost young people's
confidence and motivation so they can continue to dream big.'

RUNNER-UP - TAPE Community Music and Film

TAPE Community Music and Film, based in Old Colwyn, Conwy works
with communities, third sector groups and public sector
professionals to co-produce a wide range of creative activities,
events and projects.

'In essence, they facilitate others - mostly people from the
margins of society - to tell their story,' said Mark John-Williams
of The Co-production Network for Wales, a Lottery-funded
network of more than 1,000 co-production champions.

TAPE's work includes co-producing inclusive creative arts
workshops, culminating in musical and film performances and an art
exhibition; and a film about the importance of friendship and
community, which had a public screening at the North Wales
Coastline Festival.

'TAPE's natural ability to include all people, in particular
those who are most marginalised, is outstanding,' Mark
John-Williams added. 'They are brilliant change-makers
and facilitators who live and breathe a culture of enabling social
justice, using creativity to unleash people's assets to get across
hugely important social and community issues.'

RUNNER-UP - Groundwork North Wales

Groundwork North Wales is committed to improving the social,
economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales and focuses
its activities where it can make the most difference to communities
facing disadvantage.

It tackles such issues as worklessness, and fuel, food and
furniture poverty, working in partnership with organisations across
North Wales to ensure a greater understanding of the natural
environment and how it can be protected.

'Groundwork North Wales has helped save people in fuel poverty
over £24,000 off their energy bills through supported bill
switching, as well as installing almost 2,000 energy efficiency
measures in over 150 homes,' said Alison Hill of the Caia Park
Partnership.

'I was also impressed by their activities which support young
people into work, engaging with 135 young people through their
green team with a retention rate of 89%.

'The diversity of their work and the commitment to the people of
Wales is incredible. My team at Caia Park Partnership have
delivered projects with them and have all commented on the passion,
dedication and enthusiasm the staff at Groundwork bring to their
project delivery.'

RUNNER-UP - Age Connects Morgannwg

Operating throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr
Tydfil, Pontypridd-based Age Connects Morgannwg runs services
including information and advice, community outreach, support at
home, nail cutting - and armchair yoga and dancing.

'There is nothing that they cannot help you with - their staff
are always kind and helpful and nothing is too much trouble for
them,' said Rhondda 50+ Forum Secretary Lynda Corre.

'Age Connects Morgannwg is an organisation that you can feel
completely safe with - you know that they are looking after your
interests at all times. Whatever problem you have they
are there for you, they ensure that those who are most vulnerable
and at risk are kept safe.

'They also encourage older people to get involved in speaking up
for what they want and influence change. I cannot think of
any other organisation that goes that extra mile to ensure the
lives of older people are made better in every way.'

RCT Older Persons' Advisory Group Chair Angela Tritschler said
Age Connects provided a hospital discharge service which was
invaluable to people returning home, helping with shopping,
building up people's confidence and also helping with possible
depression which can often occur after periods in hospital.

'In this time of austerity, ACM stands out as a beacon of light
and hope to many older people in these valleys,' she added.

RUNNER-UP - Cwmbran Centre for Young People
(CCYP)

Cwmbran Centre for Young People
(CCYP) and its social enterprise company Randomz are highly
respected providers of opportunities. CCYP was the first
recipient of the Welsh Government's Quality Mark for Youth Work in
Wales Bronze Award, then the Silver, before becoming the first
organisation to achieve the Gold Award.

One of its qualities is its
willingness to work in partnership with the wider youth work and
third sectors, the private sector and other agencies including the
police, said Paul Glaze of CWVYS (the Council for Wales of
Voluntary Youth Services).

'Youth services in Wales are undergoing significant changes in
terms of how they meet the needs of young people - and this has to
be delivered in the context of fewer available financial resources,
a need to be highly adaptable, the need for excellent change
management abilities while at the same time designing and
implementing innovative solutions,' he added.

'CCYP has these skills and abilities in abundance. All of
its workers, volunteers and young people are real grafters; they
know that huge efforts equal rewards for all - training,
volunteering, work-based learning, a job, apprenticeships and
development of confidence, motivation and self-esteem in young
people.

'CWVYS is very pleased to be associated with CCYP and the
incredibly positive and powerful work it delivers on behalf of the
young people of Torfaen and beyond.'

RUNNER-UP - Headway Cardiff & South East
Wales

Before the charity was set up by patients and their families -
supported by therapists in Rookwood Hospital - those discharged
from hospital were left with little or no ongoing support to cope
with and adapt to the devastating consequences of brain injury.

Headway brings people together for mutual support and provides
them with an holistic, personal and tailored approach. 'It is
a very responsive and agile organisation - if a gap is identified,
an appropriate service is developed,' said Cari Sowden-Taylor of
Hugh James Solicitors.

The welfare benefits and counselling service provides one to one
support to reduce the emotional impact, stress and financial
anxiety that can come with brain injury.

'Headway Cardiff and South East Wales are a small organisation
with only 15 full and part time staff,' Cari added. 'However,
thanks to their dedicated, determined and committed staff, they
achieve a great deal.'

'They haven't waited for things to happen - they've made them
happen and in doing so, have improved the lives of hundreds of
people affected by acquired brain injury.'

Julie Smith, of Case Management Cymru, said that without
Headway, many people would have nowhere to turn. 'They liaise
with professionals involved in people's care to ensure there is a
coordinated and consistent approach,' she added.

'However, for many people affected by acquired brain injury,
because their disabilities are hidden, they can fall between
services. Headway Cardiff & South East Wales provides a
vital safety net which ensures people don't get overlooked or
forgotten.'

_______

WCVA Chief Executive Ruth Marks said: 'Countless third sector
groups all across Wales do inspirational things every day.
The Third Sector Awards Cymru give them their moment in the
spotlight.

'I am very pleased to be part of a community of individuals and
organisations that show such excellence and committment to working
for others and improving the lives of the people of Wales.'

Jonathan Levy, Managing Director at Class Networks said: 'This
is our 10th year supporting the Third Sector Awards
Cymru. The organisations shortlisted for all categories are
inspirational and deserve recognition for the work that they do in
supporting their local communities.'

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